Naylor realized he might have crossed a line with his questions. He quickly changed the subject. “So, is there anything new on the training schedule at headquarters today?”

Sylvie finally responded, “Yes. After we get back tonight, I’ll meet with the professor as well. We’ll go over the key flight systems for this project. If we can come up with a fresh approach, that would be ideal.”

Naylor fell silent, his mind drifting back to a particular detail he’d spotted in Elodie’s report earlier. He stole a glance at Sylvie’s gentle profile before asking, “So, Ms. Fielding… have you had any ideas yet?”

Later, after meeting up with Alexander-

He checked his watch and handed Elodie a milkshake he’d picked up just for her. “Our birthday girl! It’s your big day-any plans? After we’re done here, let me take you out for dinner?”

He always remembered Elodie’s birthday. A few years back, the day she officially completed the U.N2 project at the institute had also been her birthday. He could still recall the old professor laying into him that day, ranting about how Alexander had been alive four years longer than Elodie and yet still couldn’t measure up to her. That memory remained vivid as ever.

Elodie laughed, eyes bright with amusement. “Did you forget? The professor asked us to see him tonight. No dinner.”

Alexander groaned. “That old man-honestly. And you still want him as your mentor? He’ll work you to death one day.”

Elodie just tucked the paperwork back into her bag, her smile softening. “It’s just another day.”

Birthdays had long since stopped mattering much to her.

Alexander paused, frowning. “Does Jarrod even know today’s your birthday?”

Elodie shook her head, her tone neutral. “We’re divorced. Whether he knows or not doesn’t matter anymore.”

These past years, only his grandmother ever remembered. That first year, she’d come all the way to the house to celebrate with Elodie, and Jarrod had actually been there one of the rare times they’d marked the occasion together.

After that, Jarrod seemed to forget. The only gifts came from Keith, his assistant, who’d send something on holidays or birthdays. Jarrod himself never bothered; his staff took care of everything and didn’t see any need to mention it to him. Alexander snorted. “We’ll tell the professor tonight. We’re celebrating with you, end of story.”

As for Jarrod? Who cared.

By the time Elodie finished at headquarters, she could feel her energy flagging.

She took a long soak back at her place. When she emerged, she saw a message from Jarrod’s grandmother-warm birthday wishes, along with a note that she’d sent a present.

Elodie felt genuinely touched and replied, “Thank you, Grandma.”

Almost immediately, the older woman responded, “Is Jarrod with you? He’s celebrating with you tonight, right?”

Elodie, by now unfazed, replied, “Yes, he is. Don’t worry.”

She knew how to keep his grandmother from fussing or calling Jarrod to remind him-best to let her believe what she wanted.

Sure enough, the older woman seemed satisfied.

After their chat, Alexander arrived carrying a cake-though his expression was anything but happy.

Elodie raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

Alexander’s jaw was tight. “Look outside.”

She turned to the window. Bright streaks of fireworks burst in the evening sky, dazzling and colorful.

Face grim, Alexander let out a bitter laugh. “Today’s your birthday, but guess who I heard was out shopping with Sylvie this afternoon? Jarrod. He even bought her those fireworks himself.”

He jerked his chin toward the street. “They’re all downstairs right now, grilling and setting off fireworks for her birthday BBQ.”